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SATURDAY, Sept. 2, 2006, 7:05 p.m.
Today's cutdown
Give the Packers this much with regard to today's cuts: Production mattered.
Gone is wide receiver-kick returner Cory Rodgers, a fourth-round draft pick. Rodgers was a flop in camp, but came out of college a year early. That might have earned him more patience from some teams. Remember just two years ago when the Packers carried B.J. Sander all season as a second punter? Also cut were wide receiver Rod Gardner and running back Najeh Davenport. They both looked good in the cattle line, but didn't show much in practice or the exhibtion games. Rather than try to nurse cornerback Mike Hawkins back to health, the Packers placed him on injured reserve. Apparently, they've decided to quit waiting on his potential.
Now, for the flip side. Noah Herron made it as the third running back. Seemingly aware of Herron's limitations, the Packers gave Davenport and Arliss Beach every chance to win the job in camp. But, in the end, Herron sealed it by simply running well against Tennessee's scrubs. At wide receiver, the Packers kept street free agent Ruvell Martin, who had flunked two previous tries with the San Diego Chargers, a team no more blessed at wide receiver than the Packers. It was obvious in camp that both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers developed a trust in Martin and liked throwing to him. And maybe the Packers can find ways to game plan to take advantage of his size -- he stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 217 pounds -- in four wide receiver sets. But Martin also is cursed by a lack of speed in a league where speed is of the upmost importance.
To a degree, the decision to keep Herron and Martin further illustrates how short the Packers are on talent at the offensive skill positions.
While production mattered, the Packers didn't completely overlook potential. Free agent defensive end Jason Hunter made it because of his raw speed off the edge, although that may not pay dividends this season. Defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, a sixth-round draft pick, also made it largely on his short-range burst and performance against Tennessee. Tight end-fullback Tory Humphrey is another player who is raw, but possesses some intriguing qualities. Both specialists, Dave Rayner and Jon Ryan, were kept for their promise, not because they're cinches to deliver when the season starts against Chicago a week from Sunday.
In all, the Packers have 11 rookies on their roster at this point and three first-year players. That's a lot of youth, but it beats keeping veterans who clearly have exhausted their opportunities. Then again, there certainly doesn't seem to be enough talent on the roster to forge a winning record this season. Or maybe even deliver as many wins as last year.
Today's cutdown
Give the Packers this much with regard to today's cuts: Production mattered.
Gone is wide receiver-kick returner Cory Rodgers, a fourth-round draft pick. Rodgers was a flop in camp, but came out of college a year early. That might have earned him more patience from some teams. Remember just two years ago when the Packers carried B.J. Sander all season as a second punter? Also cut were wide receiver Rod Gardner and running back Najeh Davenport. They both looked good in the cattle line, but didn't show much in practice or the exhibtion games. Rather than try to nurse cornerback Mike Hawkins back to health, the Packers placed him on injured reserve. Apparently, they've decided to quit waiting on his potential.
Now, for the flip side. Noah Herron made it as the third running back. Seemingly aware of Herron's limitations, the Packers gave Davenport and Arliss Beach every chance to win the job in camp. But, in the end, Herron sealed it by simply running well against Tennessee's scrubs. At wide receiver, the Packers kept street free agent Ruvell Martin, who had flunked two previous tries with the San Diego Chargers, a team no more blessed at wide receiver than the Packers. It was obvious in camp that both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers developed a trust in Martin and liked throwing to him. And maybe the Packers can find ways to game plan to take advantage of his size -- he stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 217 pounds -- in four wide receiver sets. But Martin also is cursed by a lack of speed in a league where speed is of the upmost importance.
To a degree, the decision to keep Herron and Martin further illustrates how short the Packers are on talent at the offensive skill positions.
While production mattered, the Packers didn't completely overlook potential. Free agent defensive end Jason Hunter made it because of his raw speed off the edge, although that may not pay dividends this season. Defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, a sixth-round draft pick, also made it largely on his short-range burst and performance against Tennessee. Tight end-fullback Tory Humphrey is another player who is raw, but possesses some intriguing qualities. Both specialists, Dave Rayner and Jon Ryan, were kept for their promise, not because they're cinches to deliver when the season starts against Chicago a week from Sunday.
In all, the Packers have 11 rookies on their roster at this point and three first-year players. That's a lot of youth, but it beats keeping veterans who clearly have exhausted their opportunities. Then again, there certainly doesn't seem to be enough talent on the roster to forge a winning record this season. Or maybe even deliver as many wins as last year.
but I'm pretty sure that within the next few years, Ryan makes the pro bowl.
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